Are you getting outside?!

We are hoping that you are getting out and enjoying the spring! We have been - much to the dismay of Nola's and Matt's allergies - but they are a bit on the mend! Also a good reminder for Nola to keep taking her allergy drops on a regular basis. 

Nola got a response from her letter to my friend Amy the attorney. Nola enjoyed reading the answers to her questions from Amy - and still has being lawyer on her occupation list! 

Nola post-rainy soccer practice. The rain helped knock down the pollen counts! 

Brenner helping unload the car - he was good help! 

Not sure what she was thinking......but doesn't look excited to help me weed! 

Baylee and Mr. Tickles enjoying the warm weather too!

The warmer weather has also brought out the neighbor boy! The trailer was their base - note the jolly roger flying!

An amazing sunrise on Sunday morning. The rays look a bit like a cross!

Congrats to Brenner for earning a Pirate Award from his personal finance teacher (he was empathetic/supportive of others during a big class presentation). Great job, B!

Cold windy soccer games for Nola on Sunday. She was captain for the first game. 

Nola was really focusing the first game. I can't believe how grown up she looks in this picture! 

Nola and I named this picture "Synchronized soccer"! 

Bringing the ball in. The girls lost their first game and tied (1-1) their second game. They lost focus in game two (I commented and Nola agreed reluctantly!). More games to come! 

Drystan and Brenner passing the time during the games lol! 

Brenner had his first middle school track meet on Monday. He was to run in all relays. Brenner was bit nervous - waking up early. You can see that he was the first leg in the 4x200.

I enjoyed how all the teams chatted and encouraged one another during the meet. But there was a LOT of standing around waiting for events (like 5 hours long!). 

Brenner's first hand off - he did awesome! My video of the 4x100 didn't load (sad face!) - but he ran the second leg on that race. They took 5th place. I can't believe how fast they ran with the crazy wind! 

 Grandma Val made it down too to cheer him on! I told Brenner to wear sun block....you can guess how he felt Tuesday morning!!!! 

COVID- one year later

Everyone has their own COVID anniversary date but most of us are about 1 year into the pandemic. My how much we experienced while sticking close to home for the most part! Matt and I have discussed what we "missed" but really we have been so blessed in what was gained. We have certainly missed meals and hugs from family but we tried many new things. (One thing we don't miss is the virtual schooling from last spring - that was a nightmare!). We pray that you have grown for the better this past year despite the unprecedented challenges. 

Chores, chores, chores - the kids fight about who gets to do the dishes ;) Can you tell how exited Nola is?

Brenner's turn - don't forget to wipe off the counters! 

Brenner helping to assemble the new vacuum. 

We got so much rain!!!!! So much for Matt's reseeding project! 

I had to drop off my laptop at work for maintenance (go figure after a year!). Being in my office was strange - although I didn't miss it too much! I have gotten used to the home office - card table and all!

My friend Amber gave me some of their family's homemade pasta sauce - complete with hardboiled egg. Sounds weird but oh so delicious! Nola had three servings! 

Matt and I had a little getaway to Excelsior Springs - spa time, quiet time, wine time! We tried a new B&B which was so so. Squirrel motif in our room was a bit overwhelming! 

Craft beer makes him happy! 

A pretty chilly sunrise over the lake next to the B&B. 

We strolled the grounds to kissing point. (We didn't kiss there!)

A nice trail around Watkins Mill State Park allowed us to enjoy the warmer weather!

This GBH kept watching us....but didn't fly away. 

With Grandma Val fully vaccinated, we felt comfortable letting her stay with the kids during our escape - I mean getaway! They fleeced her on several fronts (Nola still believing in the tooth fairy and getting $5 and Brenner staying up until 3 am) - but it wasn't our problem!!!! Thanks again for watching the kids!!!
 

When do we stop having birthdays?

Things were pretty low key this week with school and work for our clan. The kids were off on Friday for spring break, which happened to coincide with my birthday. So - I did take part of the day off to celebrate - and was so thankful for the visits, texts, cards, facebook messages, etc that I received from so many friends and family. 44 is starting off pretty good! A general disclaimer that I didn't take many picture this week, and when I looked through them they were mostly about me......a little weird but it is my birthday so I guess that is ok and you will continue to read on ;)

March is Women's History Month, and USGS ran some social media posts on the topic. They asked me to provide a little bio. It was fun to look through my pictures - I love my work in the Grand Canyon region. Go away COVID so that I can return! 

I had leftover funnel cake mix from Brenner's birthday, and I have been wanting to do a Fry Friday. Well - my birthday was on Friday so the stars aligned! Brenner and Nola each invited a friend over to fry oreos and twinkies! One of the mom's is a good friend so we had a lovely visit. The weather was cold and dreary so the warm treat was fun. Although we don't usually eat fried food so none of us had too much!  

Nola painted me this lovely picture for my birthday! 

Brenner scrounged around his room for $3 to give me. Seemingly unthoughtful....but money is what he asks for when it is his birthday! 

My sister gave me some wonderful candles - ahhh relaxation! 

Matt bought pho for dinner, chocolate ice cream cake, and my favorite wine. Yay me! 

I hated to waste the oil in the fryer so splurged and let the kids have funnel cake for BREAKFAST on Saturday. That has to count for something! There is a new Netflix movie "Yes Day". I can relate to the mom at the beginning - I am sure others do too - parenting is hard and not "fun". But - small splurges are fun! 
 

Basketball, Soccer, and Track

The spring-like weather has been wonderful! Our schedules are picking up with Brenner in middle school track, Nola in basketball, and both in soccer. I recall professing my kids would never play more than one sport at a time but then COVID hit....it nice to have social interactions with their peers! No pictures of Brenner at his practices (that would be too embarrassing!). 

Take the time to enjoy the beauty of a sunrise! 

Nola's hair is getting long! So she asked me to take a picture of it!

Basketball post-game food stop. We were being impatient waiting for Matt to bring the food out! Brenner didn't join us Saturday as he had soccer practice during Nola's game time in another town.

We hit (no pun intended) the Kleinschmidts on our way home. Nola enjoyed looking at the animals! 

We had fun trying on boots - these were pretty sharp. lol! We also had a little lesson in manners. The aisle over had teenage girls dropping f-bombs/having poor language. I reminded Nola that there is always someone listening.....and how did she think those girls sounds. "Stupid and disrespectful" was her answer. You got it girl - don't be like that!  

After two stompings on Saturday, the girls came out strong on Sunday and lost 16-14. They played great. Nola got some shots, including some free throws, and scored 2 point for the game. They played heard - it was so fun to watch! 

The girls - small but scrappy - playing mostly 5/6 graders (we are mostly 4th graders). Still lots of smiles despite the losses. At practice the next day, the coaches inquired about year round playing (1 practice/week and 1 tourney/month). I am hesitant but Nola is excited at this point! 

Sunday afternoon was gorgeous so we spent the time outside doing yard work. Matt was getting the leaves out of the gutters! 

Ah - a Brenner sighting! He doesn't want his picture taken much these days! Brenner is channeling his inner "Forged in Fire" participant - making his own sword out of a pipe. 
 

Spring is on it's way!

After what has seemed like a long cold snap, spring was promising to show up this past week. Some wonderful weather, beautiful skies, and the sound of peepers! We remain healthy and were ecstatic when Grandma Val got her second covid shot this week - woohoo!

All smiles on the way to school. 

It is always fun when Aunt Theresa sends a package. Nola got a tarsier, and Brenner got cash. Smiles from everyone - thank you Aunt Theresa!!!!  

My drivers license was expiring so I actually fixed my hair and put on makeup. I thought I looked fine until the lady handed me my copy - it doesn't even look like me. So I snapped this picture to make sure I hadn't lost my mind on what I look like lol! 

A pretty sky on Saturday morning. 

Brenner had Science Olympiad on Saturday while the rest of us headed to Nola's basketball game. The girls played great but lost both games. Nola had some good moved and a nice jump shot that went swoosh! 

After the games, we headed to Grandma Val's house to actually have a meal with her - without constant masks (although we kept our distance as we prepped, ate, and cleaned)! It was so good (the company and the food!!!!). 

Could you imagine a more beautiful sunset?!

Why not wear shorts and t-shirt when the thermometer reads 28 degrees? His buddy is hidden behind him but made the same choice. #teenagers

Mr. Tickles got some unsupervised outside time with the warmer weather. He has come everyday to the front door - and clings on! Too funny!